Articles of Faith

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus
Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and
not for Adam's transgression.

We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind
may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinancesof the Gospel.

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the
Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance;
third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth,
Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy,
and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to
preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances thereof.

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive
Church, namely, apostles, prophets , pastors, teachers, evangelists,
and so forth.

We believe in the gift of tongues, prophesy, revelation, visions,
healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is
translated correctly, we also believe the Book of Mormon to be
the word of God.

We believe all that God has revealed, and that He does now
reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and
important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

We believe in the literal gathering of Isreal and in the restoration
of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built
on the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon
the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its
paradisiacal glory.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according
to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same
privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers,
and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous,
and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow
the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things,
we have endured many things, and hope to endure all things. If
there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy,
we seek after these things.

Basic Beliefs of the RLDS Church

What do you use for scriptures?

The RLDS Church recognizes three books of scripture: The Holy
Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. We
believe in continuing revelation and an open canon of scripture.

OUR FAITH AND BELIEFS:

GOD:

God is the eternal Creator, the source of love, life, and truth.
All things exist and have their being in God. God alone is worthy
of our worship. God actively loves and cares for each person.

CHRIST:

Jesus Christ is "God with us," the Son of God, and the
living expression of God in the flesh. Jesus Christ lived, was
crucified, died, and rose again. The nature, love, and purpose
of God are most clearly seen in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

SPIRIT:

The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of God in the world.
The Spirit works in our minds and hearts through intelligence,
comfort, guidance, love, and power to sustain and inspire us.
God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are One.

SALVATION:

God loves us even though we are sinful. Through the ministry of
Christ and the Holy Spirit we are able to turn to God and to receive
the gift of salvation and eternal life. Those who accept the gospel
are called to respond to Christ though baptism and by becoming
committed disciples. As individuals exercise faith in Christ,
and mold their lives to his example and teachings, they become
new people.

THE CHURCH:

The church, as the body of Christ, is the means through which
the ministry of Christ continues in the world today. It is a community
of people that seeks to bring God's love to all through compassionate
ministry, worship, and witness. The church proclaims the gospel
through word and action and administers the sacraments through
which Christ is revealed.

REVELATION:

The process through which God reveals divine will and love is
called revelation. God continues to reveal today as in the past.
God is revealed to us through scripture, the faith community,
prayer, nature, and in human history.

SCRIPTURE:

The scriptures provide divine guidance and inspired insight for
life when responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied. The
Bible is the central book of scripture for the church. The Book
of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are additional witnesses
of the love of God and the ministry of Christ.

SACRAMENTS:

The sacraments express the continuing life and ministry of Christ
through the church. They provide meaningful worship experiences
and symbols to establish or reaffirm our covenant (commitment)
to God in response to God's grace. The sacraments of the church
are: Blessing of Children Baptism Confirmation of Membership The
Lord's Supper (Communion) Marriage Administration to the Sick
Ordination to the Priesthood Evangelists Blessing.

HUMAN WORTH:

God loves each of us equally and unconditionally. All persons
have great worth and should be respected as creations of God with
basic human rights. The willingness to love others is essential
to faithfulness to the gospel of Christ.

ALL CALLED:

All people are given gifts and abilities to enhance life and to
become involved in Christ's mission. Some are called to particular
responsibility as ordained ministers (priesthood) in the church.
The church provides for a wide range of priesthood ministries
through calling and ordination of men and women.

FREE CHOICE:

All people have freedom to choose. Our choices bring real consequences
- good and evil - to our lives, to the lives of others, and to
our environment. Commitment to Christ, sensitivity to the Holy
Spirit, and participation in the faith community help us to make
responsible choices that enhance human life and respect creation.

STEWARDSHIP:

All things were created by God and should be used for the purposes
of God. Stewardship is the wise management of gifts and resources
to enrich personal, family, congregational, and community life.
Wise stewardship of natural resources is a critical concern.

THE KINGDOM:

God's kingdom is present wherever people acknowledge the lordship
of God over life, relationships, and creation. The full coming
of the Kingdom awaits the final victory over evil when divine
rule is established and justice, peace, and righteousness prevail.

ZION:

The "cause of Zion" expresses our commitment to pursuing
God's kingdom through the establishment of Christ-centered communities
in families, congregations, neighborhoods, cities, and throughout
the world.

PEACE:

Because of our commitment to Christ and our belief in the power
of community and the worth of all people, we are compelled to
spend ourselves in the pursuit of justice and peace.

RESURRECTION:

God conserves and renews life. This truth is revealed in the resurrection
of Jesus Christ which is a sign of God's ultimate victory over
death. We find hope and courage for living through the resurrection
of Christ. By the power of God in Christ, people move from death
into life. Through resurrection, God transforms individuals, bringing
them into the fullness of eternal life.

JUDGMENT:

Our eternal destiny is determined by God according to divine wisdom
and love, and according to our response to God's call to us. God's
judgment is just and is primarily concerned about the kind of
people we have become in relation to the potential of our lives.

ENDTIME:

God is acting in history to reconcile all aspects of creation
to divine purpose. The meaning and end to which history moves
is revealed in Christ. The ultimate victory of righteousness and
peace over injustice, evil, and sin is assured because of the
unfailing love of God and the conviction that Christ is coming
again.

What are the differences between
the RLDS and LDS (Mormon) faiths?

Both faiths recognize Joseph Smith, Jr. as founder. However, when
Joseph Jr. was killed in 1844, the church found itself in a state
of confusion and disorganization for several years. Thus, a number
of factions developed. One group moved west to the Great Salt
Lake Valley (Utah) under the direction of Brigham Young. This
group is now known as the Mormons. Other members believed that
Joseph Smith, Jr. had designated his eldest son, Joseph III, to
be his successor as president/prophet of the church. This group
remained in the midwest and became known as the "Reorganization."
The Reorganized CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints was
officially organized on April 6, 1860, at Amboy, Illinois, under
the leadership of Joseph Smith III. Since 1920, the church has
been headquartered in Independence, Missouri.

1. We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus
Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and
not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all men may
be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

4. We believe that these ordinances are: (1st) Faith in God and
in the Lord Jesus Christ. (2nd) Repentance. (3rd) Baptism by immersion
for the remission of sins. (4th) Laying on of hands for the gift
of the Holy Ghost. (5th) We believe in the resurrection of the
body; that the dead in Christ will rise first, and the rest of
the dead will not live again until the thousand years are expired.
(6th) We believe in the doctrine of eternal judgment which provides
that men shall be judged, rewarded or punished, according to the
degree of good or evil they shall have done.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God and ordained by
the laying on of hands of those who are in authority, to

entitle him to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances
thereof.

6. We believe in the same kind of organization that existed in
the primitive church, viz: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers,
evangelists, etc.

7. We believe that in the Bible is contained the Word of God,
so far as it is translated correctly. We believe the Book of Mormon
to be the Word of God.

8. We believe that the canon of Scripture is not full, but that
God, by His Spirit will continue to reveal His word to men until
the end of time.

9. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting gospel,
viz: the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation,
healing, visions, tongues and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom,
charity, brotherly love, etc.

10. We believe that marriage is ordained of God, and that the
law of God provides for but one companion in wedlock, except in
cases where the contract of marriage is broken by death or transgression.

11. We believe that in all matters of controversy upon the duty
of man toward God, and in reference to preparation and fitness
for the world to come, the Word of God should be decisive and
the end of dispute; and that when God directs, man should obey.

12. We believe that the religion of Jesus Christ as taught in
the New Testament Scriptures will (if its precepts are accepted
and obeyed) make men and women better in the domestic circle,
and better citizens of town, county, and state, and consequently
better fitted for the change which comes at death.

13. We believe that men should worship God in "spirit and
in truth," and that such worship does not require a violation
of the constitutional law of the land.